Aria and her team were escorted deeper into Valenthis, their surroundings shifting from the grand structures of the council chamber to an elegant but more subdued part of the city. The streets grew narrower, winding around crystalline pools that shimmered with the glow of the city''s ever-present magic. Aquorians moved about with a fluid grace, their forms a testament to their connection with the water.


    As they reached a large, open hall adorned with symbols of tides and sea creatures, the team was guided to a long, curved table. A few Aquorian officials were already seated, their posture straight and formal, though their expressions revealed the tension underneath. One by one, Aquorian servants, with iridescent skin and eyes like deep ocean pools, approached and set down dishes in front of the group.


    The food was mesmerizing. Bowls of translucent, shimmering fruits that seemed to be made of water, delicate strips of something resembling fish but glowing faintly with a soft blue light, and a type of bread that was moist and slightly salty, almost like seafoam. Large crystal pitchers of cool, clear liquid—likely water, though it had a slightly magical shimmer—were set before them.


    Morrigan raised an eyebrow, nudging Leira with a smirk. “Well, this is certainly better than the rations we’ve been chewing on.”


    Leira chuckled softly but kept her voice low. “No kidding. Though I have no idea what half of this is.”


    Skarath, ever practical, took a bite of the glowing fish and nodded approvingly. “It’s good. Different, but good.”


    Around them, the quiet murmur of conversation filled the air. The Aquorians were reserved, speaking softly in their lilting, fluid language, but Aria and her team could pick up bits of conversation. It wasn’t hard to tell that the arrival of outsiders, even under the Council’s orders, was a point of contention.


    One Aquorian, his skin a deep turquoise, passed by their table, speaking to another, “... outsiders think they can save us? We’ve managed the tides for centuries without help…”


    Another responded, her voice a soft ripple in the air, “... the Council wouldn’t have brought them if they didn’t think it necessary. The waters are not what they once were…”


    Aria noticed the glances from the surrounding Aquorians, some curious, others less welcoming. But she kept her focus on the task ahead, her face neutral but alert. This was a delicate balance. They had to be careful not to overstep, but they also needed to show that they were here to help, not to intrude.


    Leira, ever attuned to the social atmosphere, leaned in and whispered, “You hear that? They’re not thrilled we’re here. We need to be careful.”


    Aria nodded slightly. “I know. Just follow my lead.”


    Across from them, a young Aquorian warrior approached. His uniform was similar to the guards they had met at the entrance, but his demeanor was slightly more relaxed. His skin had the faint glow of pearlescent blues and greens, and his eyes were sharp, like a predator’s in the deep sea.


    “You must be Aria and her team,” he said, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity. “I am Kaliren, Captain of the Western Tides. I’ll be taking you to the site after you finish your meal.”


    Aria offered a polite nod. “Thank you, Captain Kaliren. We appreciate your hospitality.”


    Kaliren’s eyes flicked to the food, and a small, almost imperceptible smirk appeared. “I see you’re enjoying our ocean’s bounty. I hope it agrees with you.”


    Morrigan, ever the one to break tension, grinned. “Tastes like the ocean itself, Captain. It’s fascinating, really.”


    Kaliren raised an eyebrow, but there was a flicker of amusement. “Good. You’ll need your strength where we’re going.”


    Skarath, always direct, leaned forward slightly. “What exactly are we expecting out there?”


    Kaliren’s gaze shifted, his expression growing more serious. “The corruption is stronger in the deeper waters. We’ve tried stabilizing the currents, but there’s something... wrong. The tides are pulling toward a location beyond our reach, something beneath the surface.”


    Aria’s mind raced, connecting the dots. “A rift?”


    Kaliren nodded gravely. “We suspect so. The depths of Valenthis hold many secrets, and not all of them are known even to us.”


    There was a brief, charged silence as the team took in the gravity of the situation. Elyndra glanced at Aria, her brow furrowed. “A rift could be catastrophic if it’s left unchecked. How far beneath the surface are we talking?”


    Kaliren’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Deeper than any of our current magic can reach. That’s why the Council allowed you to help.”


    After finishing their meal, the team followed Kaliren through the streets of Valenthis, their pace quickening as they moved further from the city’s heart and closer to the untamed edges. The structures became less grand and more functional, designed for the elements rather than aesthetics. The faint sounds of the bustling city faded, replaced by the roar of rushing water.


    As they reached the outskirts, the terrain shifted. In front of them, a large waterfall poured into a seemingly bottomless pool, the water churning violently before vanishing into the dark depths. The area was stark and unsettling. Large, smooth rocks surrounded the pool, and beyond the waterfall’s spray, there was a gaping abyss—a yawning black hole in the earth where the water seemed to disappear, swallowed by the unknown.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Aria stepped closer to the edge, feeling the rush of cool mist on her face. “This is it?”


    Kaliren nodded, standing next to her. “Yes. The waters here don’t behave as they should. We’ve sent teams to explore, but none have made it past the first current. The pull is too strong, and the magic... unpredictable.”


    Leira stepped forward, her brow furrowed as she peered into the dark depths. “I’ve never felt magic like this before. It’s not just powerful, it’s... unsettling. Like it’s pulling everything toward it.”


    Skarath, gripping his halberd tightly, scanned the swirling waters. “Whatever’s down there isn’t just waiting. It’s spreading. We need to move fast.”


    Kaliren’s face was hard as stone. “It might be. This is where the corruption is strongest. We’ve seen things, creatures we thought long gone, rising from the depths.”


    Elyndra looked over at Aria, her face pale. “So what’s the plan? We can’t just dive in blind.”


    Aria glanced at the abyss and then at her team. “We go in with caution. Leira, you’ll keep the surface contained. Elyndra, we’ll need your light to navigate the deeper waters. Skarath, you and I will lead the dive. Morrigan—”


    “I’ll scout ahead,” Morrigan interrupted, his voice uncharacteristically serious as he eyed the shadows that flickered at the edges of the pool.


    Aria nodded, her mind already racing with strategies. “We don’t know what’s waiting for us down there, but whatever it is, we need to stop it before it reaches the surface.”


    Kaliren’s sharp eyes widened in surprise. “You’re planning to dive alone?” He took a step forward, his tone firm but carrying a hint of disbelief. “Our best teams have barely survived those waters. You’ll need more than just your strength to make it through.”


    Aria met his gaze calmly, sensing the weight of his concern. “We don’t intend to do this alone, Captain. Your knowledge of these waters is invaluable. We’ll follow your lead through the currents and depths.”


    Kaliren studied her for a moment, his surprise giving way to a more measured respect. “Good. You’re wise to understand that. The waters beneath Valenthis are unpredictable, and our experience will be crucial to your survival.”


    One of the Tidal Sentinels, standing just behind Kaliren, stepped forward. She was tall, her upper body sleek and humanoid, but from her waist down, eight long, muscular tentacles extended gracefully across the ground, shifting with fluid precision. Her iridescent skin shimmered with pearlescent hues, but rather than the typical shades of blue and green, it rippled with deep purples and silvers, reflecting the mysterious depths of the ocean. Her eyes, dark and endless, glowed softly, like bioluminescent creatures from the abyss, exuding both wisdom and danger.


    “You’ll need more than guidance through the currents. The creatures that have surfaced are unlike anything we’ve seen before. They’re twisted by the corruption, driven by something… darker.”


    Aria’s expression didn’t change, but she nodded. “We’re prepared to face whatever waits below. With your guidance, we can move as one unit.”


    Kaliren hesitated for a moment, then gave a curt nod. “Very well. I’ll be joining you, along with a team of Sentinels to guide the way. This isn’t just about surviving the currents—it’s about knowing how to move with the water. Down there, strength alone won’t be enough. Strategy and experience are key.”


    Skarath stepped forward, his gaze steady. “We’ll adapt to the conditions. We understand that in your waters, we follow your lead.”


    Aria glanced at her team, their eyes all focused and ready. “We’ll move as one. Sentinels take point. Morrigan, you’ll scout behind us in case we get ambushed from the rear. Skarath and I will be ready for any direct confrontation. Elyndra and Leira, stay close to the Sentinels to assist with ranged attacks and support.”


    Kaliren turned to his Sentinels, their silent presence exuding confidence. “You’ll be working with them, but remember—our goal is to guide them safely through the depths. If we lose control of the currents, everything else falls apart.”


    The lead Sentinel, a man with piercing violet eyes and a trident that gleamed with magical runes, stepped forward. “We’ll navigate the currents and reach the source of the corruption. Stay close, and trust the water.”


    There was a tense silence, the air thick with anticipation, as the team moved toward the edge of the abyss. The waters swirled below, dark and foreboding, but Aria’s resolve didn’t waver.


    As they reached the edge, Morrigan chuckled softly, his voice breaking the tension. “No one mentioned how cold it’d be.”


    The Sentinel captain glanced at him, unamused. “You’ll be warmer once the currents pull you under.”


    Morrigan’s grin faded slightly as he stared into the depths. “That’s… reassuring.”


    Kaliren stepped beside Aria, his face stern but carrying a hint of respect. “You’re brave to take on this task, but remember—this is our domain. We’ll protect you through the waters, but down there, everything is different. Your senses will betray you. Follow us closely and trust the flow of the tides.”


    Aria nodded, her voice steady. “Understood. We’ll work together.”


    Kaliren turned to one of the Sentinels, who stepped forward holding a small, translucent orb, glowing faintly with a soft blue light. “Before you dive,” Kaliren began, “you’ll need these. They’re Breathstones, enchanted by our arcanists to allow you to breathe underwater.”


    The Sentinel handed each member of the team a Breathstone, the cool orbs fitting perfectly in their palms. Aria studied hers closely, the faint hum of magic vibrating through the stone.


    “How do they work?” Leira asked, her curiosity piqued.


    Kaliren gestured toward the swirling waters. “Once submerged, the Breathstones will activate. The magic within them will synchronize with your body’s natural rhythm, allowing you to take in oxygen from the water. You won’t need to worry about running out of air, but be mindful—if the stones are damaged or lost, the enchantment will break.”


    Skarath examined the orb thoughtfully, feeling the hum of magic through his scales. “Remarkable craftsmanship,” he muttered, the faintest hint of respect in his voice. “This will do more than just keep us breathing; it feels connected to the very currents below.”


    Morrigan twirled his Breathstone between his fingers, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It’s almost like the water itself will be watching over us,” he said, his voice quieter but with an edge of intrigue. “Though I’d still prefer not to get too comfortable down there.”


    The lead Sentinel, his voice steady and serious, added, “These stones have protected us for generations. Treat them with care—they’re more fragile than they seem.”


    Aria nodded, appreciating the elegance of the solution. “Understood. Everyone, keep them secure.”


    Without another word, the team prepared for the dive. The roar of the waterfall echoed around them, the mist cooling their skin as they stepped closer to the abyss. Aria exchanged a final glance with her team, then turned back to Kaliren.


    “Let’s begin.”


    One by one, they dove into the water, the coldness hitting them like a shock. The Sentinels moved ahead, their forms barely visible in the dark currents, but their presence guiding them deeper into the unknown. The darkness below seemed endless, but Aria’s team followed without hesitation, trusting in the guidance of their Aquorian allies.